CHAP. XXIV VILLA GARDEXING 491 



roots are dry pack them away in the store. No roots should be 

 cut or even broken off, as such wounds do not readily heal, and 

 wheu the roots are cooked the colour comes out at these injured 

 places. 



Saving Seeds. — Select a few of the best-shaped roots early in 

 March, and jDlant them 18 inches apart in an open situation. Cut 

 the seed-stems as they approach maturity, and hang them up in 

 an airy room or shed till quite harvested, when the seeds shoixld 

 be thrashed out. If a large quantity is grown it may become 

 necessary to harvest it in the field, by cutting and standing it in 

 clusters, as Turnip and other seeds are done. Very often the 

 seeds are cut and laid in small heaps at intervals, and frequently 

 turned to prevent damp settling on them. Good vaiieties are — 

 Egyptian Turnip-rooted, for early sowing ; and for main crop — 

 Dell's Crimson, Henderson's Pine Apple, Nutting's Select Dwarf 

 Red, and Carter's Perfection of Beets. 



Chicory. — This makes a useful salad plant in winter when forced. 

 In good soil it i)roduces roots as large as medium-sized Carrots, and 

 these roots may be either stored away like Carrots or left in the 

 ground till required for forcing. Sow in May in drills 12 inches 

 apart, and thin out to 8 inches in the rows when large enough to 

 single. It is not particular as to soil, thoiigh, of course, the finest 

 roots are produced on the best soil. Keep down weeds in summer 

 and autumn. When the roots are full grown, soiue may be lifted 

 and placed in heat. The roots of Chicory are mostly forced in the 

 Mushroom-house, as light must be excluded, so that the growth 

 which shoots from the crown of the roots as soon as the heat is 

 applied may be blanched and lose some of its bitterness. Where 

 there is a good supply of Endive, Chicory is not much called for ; 

 but it is always advisable to grow a few roots, as it makes a nice 

 change in winter and will not disappoint, no matter what the 

 weather may be. It will force in any dark place where a tempera- 

 tm'e of 60° can be ensured. It may be planted in boxes, having 

 closely-fitting lids, and placed under the stage in a warm green- 

 house. 



Dandelion. — This, like all other plants, improves under culti- 

 vation. The seeds are offered in several of the seedsmen's cata- 

 logues that have come through my hands, and those who choose 

 to do so may gather seeds from strong plants growing in the fields 

 or by the wayside, or roots may be collected and planted in spring 

 to get strong ; or large roots may be sought for in autumn to force 

 at once in any warm dark i^lace. Sow the seeds thinly, in drills 

 8 inches apart in March. When the young plants appear, thin 

 to 6 inches apart, and pick off" all flowers. If this is not done 



